Book Review & Giveaway: Seducing Mr. Knightly by Maya Rodale

Title: Seducing Mr. Knightly
Series: The Writing Girls, Book 4
Author: Maya Rodale
Genre: Historical Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: Avon Addict
Published: October 2012 by Avon

He’s the only man she’s ever loved…

For ages it seems advice columnist Annabelle Swift has loved Derek Knightly, editor-owner of The London Weekly from a distance. Determined to finally attract her employer’s attention, she seeks advice from her loyal readers—who offer Annabelle myriad suggestions…from lower-cut bodices (success!) and sultry gazes (disaster!) to a surprise midnight rendezvous (wicked!).

She’s the only woman he never noticed…

Derek never really took note of his shy, wallflower lady writer. But suddenly she’s exquisite…and he can’t get Annabelle out of his mind! She must be pursuing someone, but who? For some inexplicable reason, the thought of her with another man makes Knightly insanely jealous.

Will Dear Annabelle find her happy ending?

But Knightly’s scandalous periodical has been targeted for destruction by a vengeful Lord Marsden, and the beleaguered editor now faces a devastating choice: either marry Marsden’s sister to save his beloved newspaper…or follow his heart and wed his Writing Girl.

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: Light, funny and over-the-top historical romance.

The Set Up: Annabelle is one of the four female newspaper writers in Victorian London and she’s hopelessly in love with the newspaper’s owner, Derek Knightly. Annabelle is tired of Derek not noticing her so she asks her reading public how to get a man to notice her. The suggestions make for a new Annabelle that Derek notices but he’s nearly engaged to a woman who can gain him entry into the ton that has been denied him by his half-brother.

Why I Read this Book: I’m an Avon Addict!

What I Liked: This book doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s light and humorous and it doesn’t pretend to be weighty or life changing. I like this romp as Annabelle enacts humorous reader suggestions like learning to pout or faint. Derek’s initial obliviousness makes Annabelle’s struggles even more humorous. I also like the silly titling of adventures like “Awful Incidences”. The humor is carried through the book as Derek has to turn the tables on Annabelle and make her notice him. This book doesn’t have deep characters, an outstanding plot or emotional intensity but it does have humor.

What I Also Liked: All the characters, from Annabelle to Derek to all their friends, are likable and just fun. Annabelle’s attempts at taking charge of her life are relatable and will have any reader rooting for her. Derek’s single minded focus on his newspaper and his entry into the ton make for an entertaining romp when he’s foiled by the bumbling Annabelle. Annabelle’s fellow “girl writers” and Derek’s other employees are great secondary characters who play into the charade. This is book four in the Writing Girls series with Annabelle’s fellow writers as the heroines and they promise to be entertaining heroines as well.

What I Didn’t Like: Annabelle’s unrequited love and how she allowed it to diminish her self-worth was a little hard to read. She excuses Derek’s callous behavior multiple times, much to the horror of her friends and I was with them! She needed to call Derek out but she never did and I wanted that. True, Derek has to turn the tables on her but not because Annabelle called out his bad behavior. Up to the very end Annabelle is a martyr to her love for Derek and that stunk.

IMO: So long as readers are looking for a light little adventure, this is a good read.

J9’s Rating:

    

---

Thanks to Avon Addicts and The Book Vixen, one lucky winner will receive a gently read copy of Seducing Mr. Knightly. Good luck to all who enter!

• No purchase necessary.
• Must be 18 years old or older to enter.
• Giveaway open to US residents. Void where prohibited.
• Comments are appreciated, however, you must fill out the Rafflecopter form in order to enter this giveaway.
• Please read TBV's Giveaway Policy before entering.
• Giveaway ends 9:00 pm (PST) on 12/15/2012.

a Rafflecopter giveaway